The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

But unto the two last he submitted not, viz. to be bound to serve a man for a time, and much less to be bound to serve a man for his life. Neither of these two forms of a Servant did Jesus take up. And I may offer these Reasons for it.

1. To be bound to serve a man would have hindered him from attending unto his heavenly Fathers business, which he came into the world to do, Joh. 6.38. I came down from Heaven to do the will of him that sent me, not my own will, and much less mans will to which a bond Servant is bound, Joh. 5.30. I came to do the will of the Father that sent me, Joh. 4.34. my meat is to do the will of him that sent me. Therefore he might not be such a Servant, as by the Law is tied to do the will of his Master Under his go•ly parents he had liberty to do his heavenly Fathers will, and it is a branch of the Fathers will, that he should be subject to his Parents, whose duty it was to further him in the Service of his heavenly Father. Once at twelve years old he did that, which by accident did not a little trouble his Parents for the present, but Mary so laid up the words of his Apology, as that they did never ⟨p. 45⟩hinder him from doing his heavenly Fathers business, but further him therein if they could.

1. To be bound to serve a man would have hindered him from attending unto his heavenly Fathers business, which he came into the world to do, Joh. 6.38. I came down from Heaven to do the will of him that sent me, not my own will, and much less mans will to which a bond Servant is bound, Joh. 5.30